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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
absolutely nanas
I started reading this book years ago but didn't get very far. Now I decided to fill this gap in my cultural knowledge. I can see that many books have taken strong influences from this one, especially Fevre Dream by George R. R. Martin and the Twilight series.
The writing style is captivating but the story and the characters are mediocre. I liked how the storytelling is an ode to living in the moment, appreciating life and the little things. The format of interview/monologue invites you to just keep on reading until you've read the whole thing.
Some parts, especially, the relationship between Louis and Claudia, weirded me out.
The writing style is captivating but the story and the characters are mediocre. I liked how the storytelling is an ode to living in the moment, appreciating life and the little things. The format of interview/monologue invites you to just keep on reading until you've read the whole thing.
Some parts, especially, the relationship between Louis and Claudia, weirded me out.
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
50 States 50 Books #29: Louisiana
I found it very very difficult to not DNF this book. I have no idea how anyone enjoyed it, or why Ann Rice chose to write a 5-year-old that way. I understand that she’s an adult in a child’s body, but that doesn’t mean she has to be described the way she is described. Better yet, don’t write the story line at all! I think her descriptions of Claudia are grotesque and I could barely get through the blatant pedophilia. I saw many others on the internet saying this same thing, and that it gets even worse in the following books! Why is this story so famous?
I found it very very difficult to not DNF this book. I have no idea how anyone enjoyed it, or why Ann Rice chose to write a 5-year-old that way. I understand that she’s an adult in a child’s body, but that doesn’t mean she has to be described the way she is described. Better yet, don’t write the story line at all! I think her descriptions of Claudia are grotesque and I could barely get through the blatant pedophilia. I saw many others on the internet saying this same thing, and that it gets even worse in the following books! Why is this story so famous?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia
adventurous
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For someone who has harbored a deep interest in vampires since I was child, it's a wonder I haven't read this book before.
I started this book with really no knowledge of what I was going to read and I think that made it better for me. It follows Louis de Pointe du Lac as he recounts the story of his life (so far) in an interview—of sorts—for a young reporter. From the start he details the spiral that led him to the arms of Lestat de Lioncourt and how it ended in a messy fire of memories and love.
It was very obvious how Lestat's "love" for Louis was shrouded in near obsession and a need to be needed hencewithholding information he did not know—or did he—so that Louis continued to stay with him in hopes of receiving such precious vampire information. The babytrapping was definitely a nail in the coffin (haha) for Louis to realize just how Lestat felt.
The introduction of Claudia into their relationship was sad and in realizing that she would never grow, her own anger became larger than her own body to handle. While she never struggled with coming to terms with her "vampire nature", she struggled immensely with her identity and having a mind that did not match her body.
I felt much for Louis as he constantly denied his "vampire nature" and felt that no other vampire but himself knew the absolute horror and beauty of draining life from a mortal so that their life flowed through their own faces, giving them a soft blush for the night. His battle with holding onto the final strand of humankind within his soul is drawn out until the end when he realizes he can no longer hold onto that; it's been far too long. I loved that he kept that question in the back of his mind while he moved around in search of vampires who would know more than Lestat had led him on to believe.
The first half or so of the book features pauses in the story where we get glimpses of the reporter and Louis talking about the story. I think I enjoyed those moments although it definitely didn't feel like an interview at all rather than a look into Louis's memories. Toward the end, those pauses are no more and it's a steady run to get to the end of his story where the reporter is back and has arguments for Louis.
I cherished the relationship between Lestat and Louis although it was tumultous and it was clear it would never work. The hard and traditional nature of Lestat could never withstand the change of time nor the change in Louis as he came to understand himself better. His actions are always explained by Louis's presence in his life and how he meant to keep him close always. Louis's kinder and somber nature could not fight against Lestat, hell, he couldn't fight against Claudia...But that's reminiscent of the way he rejects his nature altogether. He was born from Lestat and Lestat is all he knew, even after Paris.
By the end, I think Louis is still struggling with the events and even in knowing that he will never die unless he wills it, he will always be wishing for a time that has withered. It surely didn't help that the reporter rejected his own feelings about the events and told him he didn't understand his own story.
The complexity of emotions and refusal to see past one's own kind was great to read. There were times where I was so upset by how the characters were behaving with one another, but I remembered their immortality and how living lifetimes may dull one's humanity. One is only allowed one lifetime to understand themselves and vampires are let infinite lifetimes, yet still cannot agree on one definition of what they are.
Anyways, it's nearly dawn now.
I started this book with really no knowledge of what I was going to read and I think that made it better for me. It follows Louis de Pointe du Lac as he recounts the story of his life (so far) in an interview—of sorts—for a young reporter. From the start he details the spiral that led him to the arms of Lestat de Lioncourt and how it ended in a messy fire of memories and love.
It was very obvious how Lestat's "love" for Louis was shrouded in near obsession and a need to be needed hence
The introduction of Claudia into their relationship was sad and in realizing that she would never grow, her own anger became larger than her own body to handle. While she never struggled with coming to terms with her "vampire nature", she struggled immensely with her identity and having a mind that did not match her body.
I felt much for Louis as he constantly denied his "vampire nature" and felt that no other vampire but himself knew the absolute horror and beauty of draining life from a mortal so that their life flowed through their own faces, giving them a soft blush for the night. His battle with holding onto the final strand of humankind within his soul is drawn out until the end when he realizes he can no longer hold onto that; it's been far too long. I loved that he kept that question in the back of his mind while he moved around in search of vampires who would know more than Lestat had led him on to believe.
The first half or so of the book features pauses in the story where we get glimpses of the reporter and Louis talking about the story. I think I enjoyed those moments although it definitely didn't feel like an interview at all rather than a look into Louis's memories. Toward the end, those pauses are no more and it's a steady run to get to the end of his story where the reporter is back and has arguments for Louis.
I cherished the relationship between Lestat and Louis although it was tumultous and it was clear it would never work. The hard and traditional nature of Lestat could never withstand the change of time nor the change in Louis as he came to understand himself better. His actions are always explained by Louis's presence in his life and how he meant to keep him close always. Louis's kinder and somber nature could not fight against Lestat, hell, he couldn't fight against Claudia...But that's reminiscent of the way he rejects his nature altogether. He was born from Lestat and Lestat is all he knew, even after Paris.
The complexity of emotions and refusal to see past one's own kind was great to read. There were times where I was so upset by how the characters were behaving with one another, but I remembered their immortality and how living lifetimes may dull one's humanity. One is only allowed one lifetime to understand themselves and vampires are let infinite lifetimes, yet still cannot agree on one definition of what they are.
Anyways, it's nearly dawn now.
"Evil is a point of view. We are immortal. And what we have before us are the rich feasts that conscience cannot appreciate and mortal men cannot know without regret. God kills, and so shall we; indiscriminately He takes the richest and the poorest, and so shall we; for no creatures under God are as we are, none so like Him as ourselves, dark angels not confined to the stinking limits of hell but wandering His earth and all its kingdoms."
take note. . . this review has spoilers.
let me start by saying I had high hopes for this one, as it was – as many other books I didn't end up enjoying – one of my most anticipated reads this year.
yet, it turned out. . . tolerable?
after reading the book AND seeing both the movie and the TV series, I can say I enjoyed the motion picture more than the book AND the AMC portrayal. don't get me wrong, I loved the 2022 version much more than the book, but the movie is simply untoppable for me. (of course it is, Antonio Banderas plays Armand and we have Stephen Rea as his companion, Santiago! how could someone ever think about topping such a masterpiece?!)
JUST LOOK AT ANTONIO CARRYING THE WHOLE MOVIE ON HIS BACK!
okay, enough with me simping over this hot hispanic man, back to the actual review.
I really wanted to enjoy it more, I really do. I really wanted to rate it four stars – not five, I do rarely rate a book five stars even if I loved it from head to tail, just look at my review of The Master and Margarita. yet I did not.
the problem was simply because of its half-narrator/main character. I couldn't stand Louis, not at all. to me he was boring, unreliable, a crybaby attached to phantoms of his past, unable to move on or even trying to make a change about himself. yet he begs unconsciously for everybody's atention. in the words of our generation, pick-me boy at horizon, girls!
oh, not to mention his questioning attraction to minors. seriously, was the whole "love story" with Claudia neccesary at all? speaking of Claudia, at some point I coudn't stand her either. spoiled little brat, you and Lestat have a lot more in common than you think. . .
back to Louis being weird around children. care to mention about Denis as well and how uncomfortable I felt when he described how he made him hard? THAT BOY WAS A FUCKING CHILD–
I think I could go on with things I didn't like about this shitshow for a few hours, but I am way too lazy so I'll just stop here. Armand and Lestat carried the book for me, I kept reading only for them. I'm so glad I won't have to face Louis again. . .
Lestat's book better be worth its $15 dollars unlike this mf over here. . .
yet the question still stands: was it that bad? is it another visit on disappointment island?
honestly, I have no ideea.
take note. . . this review has spoilers.
let me start by saying I had high hopes for this one, as it was – as many other books I didn't end up enjoying – one of my most anticipated reads this year.
yet, it turned out. . . tolerable?
after reading the book AND seeing both the movie and the TV series, I can say I enjoyed the motion picture more than the book AND the AMC portrayal. don't get me wrong, I loved the 2022 version much more than the book, but the movie is simply untoppable for me. (of course it is, Antonio Banderas plays Armand and we have Stephen Rea as his companion, Santiago! how could someone ever think about topping such a masterpiece?!)
JUST LOOK AT ANTONIO CARRYING THE WHOLE MOVIE ON HIS BACK!
okay, enough with me simping over this hot hispanic man, back to the actual review.
I really wanted to enjoy it more, I really do. I really wanted to rate it four stars – not five, I do rarely rate a book five stars even if I loved it from head to tail, just look at my review of The Master and Margarita. yet I did not.
the problem was simply because of its half-narrator/main character. I couldn't stand Louis, not at all. to me he was boring, unreliable, a crybaby attached to phantoms of his past, unable to move on or even trying to make a change about himself. yet he begs unconsciously for everybody's atention. in the words of our generation, pick-me boy at horizon, girls!
oh, not to mention his questioning attraction to minors. seriously, was the whole "love story" with Claudia neccesary at all? speaking of Claudia, at some point I coudn't stand her either. spoiled little brat, you and Lestat have a lot more in common than you think. . .
back to Louis being weird around children. care to mention about Denis as well and how uncomfortable I felt when he described how he made him hard? THAT BOY WAS A FUCKING CHILD–
I think I could go on with things I didn't like about this shitshow for a few hours, but I am way too lazy so I'll just stop here. Armand and Lestat carried the book for me, I kept reading only for them. I'm so glad I won't have to face Louis again. . .
Lestat's book better be worth its $15 dollars unlike this mf over here. . .
yet the question still stands: was it that bad? is it another visit on disappointment island?
honestly, I have no ideea.
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I watched the TV show before I read this. Some things you should know that may be triggering or uncomfortable: Louis is a white plantation owner at the start of the book. Louis and Lestat also take advantage of and eat slaves. There are also slight incestuous/pedophilic themes between Louis and Claudia. Though as long as you read mindfully and have good media literacy skills it should be fine.
The writing is pretty and poetic. The stream of consciousness style and interview format was fun. Louis' perspective on everything was interesting.
I did find it interesting how little we get to see of Lestat's, Louis', and Claudia's relationship in the first part. Especially compared to the show.
Honestly, for the first hundred pages or so it was a little boring. There would be some interesting parts and new info about the characters but then it would go back to being sluggish. Things started to pick up though towards the end of the first part and going into the second part. I didn't realize until I started reading how slow paced this would be, so that's on me.
Overall, though, I did enjoy the story and the characters. I'm looking forward to picking up the next book.
The writing is pretty and poetic. The stream of consciousness style and interview format was fun. Louis' perspective on everything was interesting.
I did find it interesting how little we get to see of Lestat's, Louis', and Claudia's relationship in the first part. Especially compared to the show.
Honestly, for the first hundred pages or so it was a little boring. There would be some interesting parts and new info about the characters but then it would go back to being sluggish. Things started to pick up though towards the end of the first part and going into the second part. I didn't realize until I started reading how slow paced this would be, so that's on me.
Overall, though, I did enjoy the story and the characters. I'm looking forward to picking up the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Pedophilia, Racism, Slavery, Sexual harassment